The Labor enquirer., 1887-07-16

Ferdinando Bartoncini keeps saloon
at 23 Mulberry street. He has brother
Joseph. Joseph says that at O'Clock
yesterday afternoon he was standing in
front of the saloon with, the door closed
but not locked. Policeman Edward
Clarkson, who was in citizens clothes
having been detailed on excise duty, came
mp to the door and tried to get in.
"You can't come in here" said Joseph
"the place is not OPEN
"Well, want glass of beer" replied
the officer, and attempted to force his
way in. .~
Joseph stood his ground, and when the
officer pushed him aside the latter retail
lated by pulling Clarkson back. Clark
son struck Joseph with his fist, at the
same time calling for help. Patrolman
Welsh, who was in uniform, came up on
run and sounded his club on the flag
stones for reinforcements. The next in
stant the club was vigorously welded on
the body and head of the unfortunate
Joseph. The noise and tumult by the
gathering crowd, some of whom pleaded
with the officers while others swore and
cried "Help! and Murder" brought the
other brother out of the house and he at
once came to Joseph's assistance. The
two policemen had been reinforced by
Officers Mitchell, Shields and Gillespie, all
in citizens clothes, and between the five
the unhappy brothers had tough time
of it. They were clubbed right and left,
pounded with clinched fists, and after be
ing thrown to the ground were savagely
men came running upon the scene and
begged and pleaded with the officers for
mercy towards their husbands. They
say that in response to their appeals they
were brutally pushed and beaten by the
policemen. One was a strong and robust
woman but the other, the wife of Joseph,
was small and delicate. The rough treat
ment she experienced necessitated her re-
moval by friends to her home at No. q
Mulberry street where she was compelled
to take to her bed.
All the way from the scene of the out.
break the two men were beaten, cuffed
and clubbed hundreds of excited people
following them imploring the officers to
show little more mercy. The clubbing
went on, however, until the station house
was reached. There the two men present
ed sorry spectacle. Their clothes, par.
tally torn from their bodies, were cover
ed with dirt and blood; their faces and
necks were a mass of gore; while theil
bare heads were cut, bruised and besmear
ed with blood
The sergeant at the desk found it nee
essary to summon an ambulance surgeon
who dressed the wounds of the brothers.
JOsephs condition was the worst it being
necessary to sew up and bandage several
of his cuts. Policeman Clarkson charged
them with resisting arrest and assaultine
the officers. 1t required minute e1ami
nation, however, to discover even the
slightest scratch or other evidence of ar
assault or violence upon either Clarksol
or any of the other officers.
Later in the evening Judge O'Reily
who sat at headquarters, bailed both pris
Oners in 81 900 each, for their appearance,
at the Tombs court this morning, theil
bondsman being Paul Gambairno of No
"A Mott street. The captains room a
headquarters was filled with the frien ds O
the victims, all of whom vOuched fo
their good character. Fercinando ha
kept saloon in the vicinity for fourtee,
years. Joseph's wife also put in a,
appearance. being helped along by he
brother. She looked sick and happard.